Aaron is poring over a map in his captain’s chair. Everyone else is milling about the deck. Natalie, Derek and Hugh are standing together, chatting. Natalie looks more animated than I’ve ever seen her, Hugh looks unsure, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. They all turn to look at me.

Natalie motions me over, but I pretend not to see, instead making a beeline for Pippa. It will be a small miracle if I can get through this day without talking to Hugh, but I’m certainly going to try.

‘Thank you for waking me up,’ I say to Pippa.

‘Long night?’

I nod, yawning.

‘I could tell,’ she says under her breath, nodding in the direction of Natalie, Derek and Hugh. ‘Did something happen between you two?’

‘There is no us two,’ I say with finality. My voice is tense. Hurt crosses Pippa’s face at my tone. ‘Sorry,’ I say quickly. ‘I don’t want to talk about it.’

‘It’s OK,’ she says, patting my arm. ‘Sunscreen?’ She holds out the bottle like an olive branch.

While I lather myself up, I ask Pippa if she’ll be my dive partner this morning. I ask in front of Andrew on purpose, hoping if either of them is reluctant about separating I’ll notice.

‘Does that mean I’d get to be with Hugh?’ Andrew asks brightly. Pippa rolls her eyes. ‘I mean,’ he backpedals, ‘how could you tear me away from Pippa, a perfect angel, light of my life?’

I chuckle. Leave it to Andrew to make me laugh when I didn’t even feel like I could smile.

‘He’s ridiculous,’ she says, turning to me. ‘You don’t think Hugh will care?’

‘It’s not my problem if he does.’

‘All right then. Who’s gonna tell him?’

‘I will,’ I say defiantly.

She nods in Hugh’s direction. He’s broken off from Natalie and is standing alone, facing the ocean.

‘I was going to tell him later,’ I say, feeling a pit of dread form in my stomach. I hate confrontation, even when I think the other person deserves a talking-to.

‘Later is now, babes,’ Pippa says.

I roll my eyes, but I know she’s right. I make my way over to Hugh.

‘Morning,’ he says softly.

‘Hi.’

‘I’m sorry about last night, I didn’t think—’

‘It’s fine,’ I interject, cutting him off. ‘I knew you didn’t want me to find the wrasse. I don’t know why I was so surprised to hear you had a promotion riding on it. I just came over to tell you I’m gonna be Pippa’s buddy this morning.’

Hugh’s jaw goes slack. His eyes shift to a greyish blue. ‘You are?’ he asks.